Road Cycling - best value in a cheaper carbon-framed complete bike?

my brother in law is asking for advice and what he's looking at now is the Giant TCR Composite 2.

I was going to suggest looking at the Specialized Roubaix Comp.

Anything else? if he went Ti can he get a Hab w/ ultegra for $2k?

He's short and stocky and will be doing touring for fitness and fun in North Carolina.

if he went Ti can he get a Hab w/ ultegra for $2k?

It certainly looks that way...

http://www.habcycles.com/roadpric.html

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=24733&lsubcat_id=7618&lcat_id=7605&referpage=

This is a good deal in Carbon. Supergo also offers this bike in a non limited edition w/Ultegra for around $1600, though it's not currently on the site. Might be worth a call.

55/Rad

The Giant comes with a 10 year warranty in Australia. Down this end of the world the Giant is by far the best carbon bike, for the least amount of $$.

CHEERS.

Mark

Scattante

If I were to buy a carbon it would be a Scattante from Supergo. The price cannot be beat and the quality is excellent. A friend of mine has one and he could not be happier with his purchase.(An this is a guy who has a Colnago) Scattante with Ultegra & Shimano wheels for about $1300, is an incredible deal.

I just got my CC mag and i noticed the had the Litespeed Classic for $1100 off,thats a great deal and had to beat for that bike.

oh yeah, i got that flyer from supergo that had the carbon Scattante for $1300. That's a great call, only I must have recycled the flyer and the website doesn't show it.

hmm.. gonna be hard to tell my bro-in-law if i can't show him a link at least.

thx for the suggestions though....

I purchease the '03 Scattante CFR for $1,245.00 from SuperGo. Full carbon with full Ultegra grouppo, Shimano R540 wheels, Selle Italia saddle, and other house brand (Weyless) parts: handle bar, saddle post, etc. It turned out to be a really nice bike for the money.

wailee

oh yeah, i got that flyer from supergo that had the carbon Scattante for $1300. That's a great call, only I must have recycled the flyer and the website doesn't show it.

hmm.. gonna be hard to tell my bro-in-law if i can't show him a link at least.

thx for the suggestions though....
Boze,
Call Supergo and speak to thier Customer Service Dept. Believe me they'll get you one of these beauties if your serious. My friend initially pd 1500. I got a new catalog the following week and it was now listed for 1250. He called them and got the 250 difference back.. The Supergo people are great to deal with. I'd have one two if I didn't come across a great deal at GVH bikes.com on a Merckx titanium. 2250 gets you a ti frame (frame made by Litespeed for Eddy Merckx) with full Ultegra Open Pro wheels & Reynolds carbon Ouzo Pro fork. Check it out if Ti turns you on.. It did it for me. Talk to Gary.

Boze,
Call Supergo and speak to thier Customer Service Dept. Believe me they'll get you one of these beauties if your serious. My friend initially pd 1500. I got a new catalog the following week and it was now listed for 1250. He called them and got the 250 difference back.. The Supergo people are great to deal with. I'd have one two if I didn't come across a great deal at GVH bikes.com on a Merckx titanium. 2250 gets you a ti frame (frame made by Litespeed for Eddy Merckx) with full Ultegra Open Pro wheels & Reynolds carbon Ouzo Pro fork. Check it out if Ti turns you on.. It did it for me. Talk to Gary.

I'm interested in the Majestic too.

How's the Majestic ride? Is there any bottom bracket flex? Is the dampening similar to CF bikes (I already own a old (early 90's) Monocoque CF bike)? Are the tubes straight gauge? Are the seat and chain stays ovalized? How are the welds, are they similar to Litespeeds quality? Do you find the bike quick handling or slow as implied by the "Merckx Century Geometry"? Were those open pro's silver or dark? Did they used butted spokes?

Sorry for the questions but the description of the frame is rather vague.

At this point its a toss-up between the 2250 Merckx Ti at GVH and the Litespeed Ultegra Classic for 2600 at CC. Any positive feedback could tilt the decision.

Thanks for any responses.

Anything else?

As far as most bang for your buck in a full carbon road bike, IMHO it's hard to beat the Pedalforce ZX2 as a starting frame. It's basically a high modulus carbon LOOK full monocoque frame and fork without the decals for $699. Check it out at: www.pedalforce.com

Here are some reviews from an independent site:

http://www.bikecafe.net/directory/XcDirViewRatings.asp?LinkID=1486&CatID=69

I kinda like the stealth black look myself.

- Ralph

The seat tube is ovalized at the bottom bracket I assume to add rigidity. The seat and chain stays are not ovalized. I had an opportunity to buy a Litespeed Classic also. The deal I was offered was from a LBS who had a used frame and wanted 2600+ for a complete Utegra build up. Merckx generally are noted for their comfort. The geometry although somewhat similar to the Classic, is an Eddy Merckx design. At least it says that on the label at the base of the seat tube. Unfortunately for me, I've been unable to do a whole lot of riding since I got it. I reaggravated an old neck injury. I did put about 35 miles on it though. Assessment at this point without having rode a Litespeed, is that the ride is quite pleasant. You get information from the road without all the vibration of a Al frame.. Is it as smooth as a carbon? Probably not. But that's not what I was looking for. The handling seems true , steady, and inspires confidence. The Mavic OP's are black. FRom reading other responses the OP's are bullet proof. Quick handling? Well it much more refined than my Al Specialized Allez Elite. I'm not sure If I sense any flex in the frame but but the bike is made by Litespeed and the quality is obvious. The frame size is measured C to C vs. C to T for Litespeed. I'm looking forward to my 1st 100k ride on this baby. Good Luck.

The seat tube is ovalized at the bottom bracket I assume to add rigidity. The seat and chain stays are not ovalized. I had an opportunity to buy a Litespeed Classic also. The deal I was offered was from a LBS who had a used frame and wanted 2600+ for a complete Utegra build up. Merckx generally are noted for their comfort. The geometry although somewhat similar to the Classic, is an Eddy Merckx design. At least it says that on the label at the base of the seat tube. Unfortunately for me, I've been unable to do a whole lot of riding since I got it. I reaggravated an old neck injury. I did put about 35 miles on it though. Assessment at this point without having rode a Litespeed, is that the ride is quite pleasant. You get information from the road without all the vibration of a Al frame.. Is it as smooth as a carbon? Probably not. But that's not what I was looking for. The handling seems true , steady, and inspires confidence. The Mavic OP's are black. FRom reading other responses the OP's are bullet proof. Quick handling? Well it much more refined than my Al Specialized Allez Elite. I'm not sure If I sense any flex in the frame but but the bike is made by Litespeed and the quality is obvious. The frame size is measured C to C vs. C to T for Litespeed. I'm looking forward to my 1st 100k ride on this baby. Good Luck.

Thank you for the quick and much need feedback on the Merckx. I really am leaning towards it and if it weren't for the recent sale at CC I would have ordered by now.